SPIRONOLACTONE TABLETS 25MG

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SPIRONOLACTONE 25MG TABLETS
SPIRONOLACTONE 100MG TABLETS
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine
because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It
may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any
possible side effects not listed in this leaflet (see section 4).

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What is in this leaflet
1. What Spironolactone tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Spironolactone tablets
3. How to take Spironolactone tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Spironolactone tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Spironolactone tablets are and what they are used for
• The active ingredient is Spironolactone.
• Spironolactone belongs to a class of drugs known as “diuretics”- you may
know these as ‘water’ tablets. Diuretics help to get rid of excess water in the
body. Your medicine can be used to treat liver problems (i.e. cirrhosis with
ascites and oedema, malignant ascites), Hyperaldosteronism (high levels of
aldosterone in the body), Kidney problems (i.e. nephritic problems) and Heart
Failure (i.e.congestive cardiac failure).
• Spironolactone can also be used to test for hyperaldosteronism.
You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.
Children should only be treated under guidance of a paediatric specialist.

2. What you need to know before you take
Spironolactone tablets

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Spironolactone tablets if you:
• suffer from disturbances of blood chemicals e.g. potassium, calcium, chloride
and urea (detected in blood tests)
• are a woman who has irregular periods
• have swollen breasts
• have too little sodium in the blood (hyponatraemia)
• suffer from porphyria – a generic disorder of red blood cell pigment (symptoms
include stomach pain, seizures, vomiting, hallucinations, fast heart rate)
• you suffer from kidney disease especially children with hypertension or liver
disease. Your doctor will routinely assess you.
• suffer from serious respiratory disorders
• suffer from diarrhoea
• have recently had surgery or you are seriously ill
• are elderly
• are pregnant
• are taking any other water tablets (diuretics) in combination with spironolactone
which may cause low sodium levels (hyponatraemia) in the blood
Concomitant administration of spironolactone with certain medicines, potassium
supplements and food rich in potassium may lead to severe hyperkalaemia
(increased potassium blood level). The symptoms of severe hyperkalaemia might
include muscle cramps, irregular heart rhythm, diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness or
headache.
Long-term use of Spironolactone Tablets is not advised in young patients. Your
doctor will decide whether this medicine is suitable for you.
If you experience reduced kidney function or kidney failure you may have severe
increases in the levels of potassium in your blood. This can affect the way your

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Do not take Spironolactone tablets if you:
• are allergic to Spironolactone or any of the other ingredients (listed in section 6)
signs of an allergic reaction include a rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling

of the lips, face, throat or tongue
• suffer from anuria (absence of urine production)
• suffer from severe kidney disease
• have addison’s disease (inadequate functioning of adrenal gland), a hormone
deficiency characterised by extreme weakness, loss of weight and low blood
pressure
• have high potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalaemia)
• have diabetes mellitus with or without kidney problems
• are taking eplerenone (a medicine for high blood pressure)
Children with moderate to severe kidney disease must not take spironolactone.

If you are going to have an operation where you will be given an anaesthetic, tell
the doctor in charge that you are taking Spironolactone.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Pregnancy
Always talk to your doctor before taking any medicine if you are pregnant,
planning to become pregnant.
You should discuss the use of spironolactone with your doctor, who will advise
you to consider an alternative method of feeding your baby while you are taking
this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Breast-feeding is not recommended while taking Spironolactone Tablets. Always
check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Driving and using machines
Take care if you drive or operate machinery.
Spironolactone tablets can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Patients should
make sure they are not affected when driving or operating machinery.
Spironlactone tablets contain Lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some
sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

3. How to take Spironolactone tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The number of tablets
you need to take depends on your illness.
Taking this medicine
• Take this medicine by mouth.
• Swallow these tablets with water and preferably with food.
ADULTS
Congestive heart failure
The usual dose for adults is 100mg daily. To control the condition the usual dose is
25mg-200mg daily. The maximum daily dose is up to 400mg daily.
Nephrotic syndrome
The usual dose for adults is 100mg-200mg daily.
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Package leaflet: Information for the user

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Swollen abdomen
The usual dose for adults is 100mg-200mg daily. The maximum daily dose is up
to 400mg daily.
Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism
Long test: the usual daily dose is 400mg for 3-4 weeks.
Short test: the usual daily dose is 400mg for 4 days.
Treatment of primary aldosteronism
The usual adult dose is 100mg-400mg in preparation for surgery. If surgery is
not suitable your doctor will decide a suitable dose to control the condition.

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ELDERLY
Your doctor may prescribe a different dose to those above, depending on your
liver or kidney function and response to treatment.
CHILDREN
The number of tablets you give your child will depend on your child’s weight and
response to treatment. The usual dose is 3mg per kg of body weight daily in
divided doses. Tablets may be crushed and dispersed in food or drink if
necessary. Speak to your doctor before giving this medicine to your child.
Always follow your doctor’s advice about when and how to take your medicine
and always read the label. Your pharmacist may be able to help if you are not
sure.
If you forget to take Spironolactone tablets
If you forget to take a dose at the correct time, take your Spironolactone tablets as
soon as you remember, then go on as before. Do not take a double dose to make
up for a forgotten dose
If you take more of your spironolactone than you should
If you (or somebody else) accidentally take too much medicine, contact your
nearest hospital casualty department, doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Symptoms of an overdose include drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting,
dizziness or diarrhoea.
If you stop taking your medicine
Keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it
just because you feel better. If you stop taking the medicine, your condition may
re-occur or get worse.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody
gets them.
Stop taking Spironolactone and contact your doctor at once if you develop
high blood levels of potassium (muscle twitching or weakness, irregular heart
beat, unusual tiredness or weakness, paralysis with or without loss of muscle
tone, circulatory failure), especially if you have impaired kidney function or a diet
high in potassium.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following:
• an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) such as swelling of the face, lips,
tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, shock, collapse, skin rash
or itching.
• a severe form of skin rash with flushing, fever, blisters or ulcers (StevensJohnson syndrome)
• a severe rash involving reddening, peeling and swelling of the skin that
resembles severe burns (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• a severe form of allergic reaction called DRESS syndrome which may show
up with the following symptoms: fever, skin rash, joint pain, swelling of glands,
abnormalities of blood including increase in blood cells called eosinophils,
abnormalities of kidney and liver function.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes
any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects
directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.

5. How to store Spironolactone tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following side
effects, they get worse or if you notice anything not listed.
• Increase in blood levels of nitrogen or urea especially in those with impaired
kidney function, altered numbers and types of blood cells.
• If you notice increased bruising, nosebleeds, sore throats or infections, you
should tell your doctor who may want you to have a blood test. This may be
due to reduced number of cells that fight infection- white cells (leukopenia),
reduced number of cells that help with clotting (thrombocytopenia)
• Low blood levels of sodium, changes in the levels of chemicals in the body.
• Lack of muscle control or coordination, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, headache,
clumsiness, tiredness, mental confusion, fever.
• Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), spironolactone can cause impairment of liver
function; Hepatoxicity (a poisonous effect on the liver)
• Inflammation of the stomach lining, bleeding in the stomach, stomach or
intestinal ulcers, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, being sick, stomach upset

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after expiry date (EXP.) which is stated on the carton.
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 250C. Store in the original package in order to protect from
light and moisture.
• Do not throw away any medicines via waste water or household waste. Ask
your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These
measures will help protect the environment.